Turning shame into success: Rangers v Celtic

[Frankie 8,148]

Saturday's Old Firm game at Ibrox will be the sixth time the teams have met this season with only one draw amongst four defeats in the five games so far for Rangers. Despite the obvious gulf between the two sides on and off the pitch, I don't think any Rangers fan finds that record acceptable and it was good to hear Pedro Caixinha felt ashamed after the 2-0 reverse from last weekend's Scottish Cup semi-final. He's not the only one...

 

Nothing highlights that shame more than the current league table. Celtic are 33 points in front of us, scoring 39 more goals and conceding 12 less - that's an astonishing 51 goals better off. They're also unbeaten and have arguably only started to drop points via draws after the league title was secured. We're well behind and still fighting for third place, never mind second. Thus, as much as any Rangers (or Celtic) fan won't subscribe to guard of honours when either team wins titles, it would be dangerous to not acknowledge just how far in front our greatest rivals are. Yes, our financial and existential travails may have given them a five year buffer in which to cement their position but, as it stands, Celtic are by far the best team in Scotland and we're lagging behind in every single area.

 

Now, my intention isn't to depress the reader of the article but to offer a sober analysis of the status quo. Sure, it's no coincidence court cases involving Craig Whyte and Sir David Murray run concurrently with our club's struggles and the arrest of prominent Newcastle Utd board members may also prove interesting as part of the issues that have hamstrung our club in recent times. However, at some point, and it has to be soon, we need to move on and the past has to be left in the past. Of course dubious retail deals and other contractual obligations leave a bad taste in the mouth but they're clearly not going to go away so live with them, we must. The future has to be our priority and we cannot keep picking at past scabs no matter how much they itch.

 

Thankfully in his statement which accompanied our season ticket renewal letter, chairman Dave King did seem to be of a similar mind. Whilst acknowledging the incredible loyalty of supporters he was rightly positive about an improvement in the club's infrastructure and promised funds for the new manager to put his own stamp on the team. Of course there was no mention of the scale of this investment - and it's unlikely we'll be able to match what Celtic spend - but it doesn't matter if we spend £1million or £10million, the targets have to be the right ones. And genuine quality: reliable, professional and fit players have to be a priority. We certainly can't afford the same risks that were taken last season. Joey Barton was always an unnecessary gamble, while as much as Rossiter and Kranjcar have been unlucky with injury, their fitness records were never good. Meanwhile, when we have spent money over the last 12-18months, it has been wasted badly on players that were never going to fit into the system we played. Would a Director of Football have sanctioned the best part of £2.5million on Michael O'Halloran and Joe Garner?

 

Every transfer is ultimately a risk but with finances tight we simply can't afford the same mistakes of past years. Yet, despite suggestions to the contrary, there has been no DoF appointment and little suggestion our scouting goes any further than agent recommendations and Youtube videos. With just two months until our probable first Europa League qualifying round in late June, is Caixinha to rely on the inconsistent and under-performing squad he inherited from Mark Warburton or can we expect improvements ahead of said qualifiers? It must be said a DoF isn't the silver co-efficient bullet some commentators suggest for Scottish teams but surely it would have allowed some proper planning ahead of an even tougher 2017/18 campaign.

 

With that in mind, the manager must have hoped for a lot more from his existing players. Yes, the bulk of them had arguably already shown they weren't good enough before he arrived but, small improvements aside (defensively at least) there are few players that seem capable of dealing with the expectation of playing for Rangers. In fact, it could be said only four or five have done enough to earn pass marks this season and most of them may not be here anyway come June. Foderingham, Hill, Hyndman, McKay and Miller are whom I'd consider our better players: two of whom are in their late thirties and out of contract, one will be going back to his parent club and the other two perhaps seen as assets we could sell to provide funds to bring in new players. If these five players do indeed leave that also means almost half of our current first choice XI won't start our first Europa League game. What was it I said about planning?

 

Out of the rest of the squad, it's difficult to make a case for keeping many players. Guys like Tavernier, Wallace, Wilson, Holt and Waghorn have shown their worth now and again but let us down too often to be considered players that will bring success. It doesn't also say much for the likes of Kiernan, Halliday and Forrester that youngsters such as Bates, Beerman and Dodoo have shown up better recently. Others such as Windass, Hodson and Crooks may be kept on but seem to be destined for mediocrity or the physio room. Depressing stuff but unfortunately this isn't a bad dream.

 

Saturday's match, however, presents an opportunity for some of these players to show they can be part of our future. Despite the largely poor results and performances against Celtic so far, there have been glimpses of good play in most of the games. Even last Sunday, we could have scored four goals late on once we realised our opponents weren't quite as invincible as our overly defensive tactics seemed to show. Yes, Rodgers' men are a good side - physical, quick and efficient - but as we showed at Parkhead last month and at Ibrox on Hogmanay, we can cause them problems. If we can match their strength, play at pace and be more direct then chances will come and, if we do as we did at Pittodrie recently, we can score goals easily enough.

 

As such, I'd remove the overly defensive setup from last weekend and concentrate on our threats. James Tavernier was our best player on Sunday but an apparent injury to Lee Hodson means he can't be pushed further forward. However, perhaps Josh Windass would work well with him on the right side - combing to stifle Sinclair. On the other flank, Barrie McKay has struggled recently but looked dangerous when he came on last week so he (or Joe Dodoo) should start. We'll also need more of a possession foothold so, if available, Jon Toral must be favoured over Andy Halliday. Similarly, both Garner and Waghorn were poor last week meaning Miller must surely start in the striker's role. In defence, David Bates didn't let us down but a fit Clint Hill would be preferable to allow Danny Wilson to provide more cover for Beerman. Tactically, we can't dismiss Celtic's quality but let's take the game to them for a change.

 

Even so, win or lose at the weekend, it won't take away from the challenges we face. Amidst that honesty though, there has to be a belief we can meet and pass those challenges. Saturday's result (or indeed performance) may help determine that belief on the park and it will also show what we will need off it over the coming weeks. I'm told Dave King is in Glasgow this week and will view first hand just how much work he and his board has ahead of them this summer. Now, more than ever before, he needs to lead from the front and repay the loyalty shown to him by 43,000 season ticket holders. He'll need his own wallet but, even more importantly, he'll need to make clear what he's doing to 'restore Rangers to the very top of Scottish football' by way of attracting new investment.

 

In that sense, the pressure is now on him just as much as any player. 8000 Celtic supporters celebrating their club's 48th Scottish League title in the Broomloan Road Stand on Saturday should help focus the mind.

 

Possible team (4-2-3-1):

 

Edited April 27, 2017 by Frankie

[chilledbear 16]

Do we think PC is having trouble communicating his ideas to the players?

 

Reports of unrest with an early start to pre-season and the team not carrying out instructions on the park. There is talk of a clearout in the summer, but with a lack of money and a short window before the Euro games, I would be surprised if this happened.

 

It's not often a team gets the chance to redeem themselves so quickly, let's hope we take the chance.

[Frankie 8,148]

Do we think PC is having trouble communicating his ideas to the players?

 

Reports of unrest with an early start to pre-season and the team not carrying out instructions on the park. There is talk of a clearout in the summer, but with a lack of money and a short window before the Euro games, I would be surprised if this happened.

 

It's not often a team gets the chance to redeem themselves so quickly, let's hope we take the chance.

 

I think we'll bring in at least 8 players again but doubt that will be done before the end of June. And we may need to wait until the end of August before all are complete.

 

In terms of fall outs, no player will be happy if they know they're being moved on or if their easy-going regime is to change but it's up to the manager to deal with that.

[der Berliner 3,240]

As I said elsewhere, I'd go with Hodson at right back, Tav next to the DM as an enforcer with a license to run at them as well, and Dodoo on the left wing. I'd go without Hyndman or Toral at the beginning and have Miller in attacking / creative midfield, Garner as the lone striker and even O'Halloran on the right wing. Dodoo, Garner and O'Halloran will run their socks off and have the pace and directness to trouble their defence, while the wingers also track back better than McKay and Waghorn. BTW, after that goal against them in the SF last season, did McKay ever turn up against them afterwards?

 

Foderingham

 

Hodson - Bates/Hill - Wilson - Beerman

 

Tavernier - Holt

 

O'Halloran - Miller - Dodoo

 

Garner

Edited April 27, 2017 by der Berliner

[MacK1950 2,231]

We are still in a total mess with players having made arrangements from what it seems were agreements made under MW.This should have been dealt with more efficiently by the Directors instead of making Pedro out to be the bad guy.It is something else we don't need as we continue going into one crisis after another.

MESSAGE TO DIRECTORS GET YOURSELVES IN ORDER.

[ian1964 10,410]

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha considering u-turn after stars seethe at having just nine days off this summer

 

Lee Wallace and Joe Garner’s wedding plans thrown into turmoil and one member of staff has complained to HR.

 

By Keith Jackson

 

Workaholic Pedro Caixinha could move to quell a potential dressing-room rift at Rangers after shocking his squad by giving them just nine days off for the entire summer.

 

Record Sport understands the Portuguese hardliner is considering u-turning on a decision to order his players to report for pre-season training on June 1.

 

That order – which was given out earlier this week – has caused major turmoil behind the scenes with captain Lee Wallace and striker Joe Garner urgently rearranging their wedding plans and at least one member of the Murray Park staff complaining to the club’s human resources department.

 

But last night Caixinha was considering relaxing his edict by adding another four days’ downtime to his summer schedule. After Rangers crashed out of the Scottish Cup on Sunday, the curtain will officially come down on their season at St Johnstone on Sunday, May 21. The players are then expected the following day to empty lockers and receive specific instructions for keeping their fitness levels ticking over.

 

Former boss Mark Warburton had informed the squad this season that – unless they reached the season finale at Hampden on May 27 – they would be given a full three weeks for rest and recuperation between May 22 and June 12.

 

But Caixinha has ripped up that arrangement to the astonishment of his players – having previously promised 10 days off even if they had made it to the Final.

 

Record Sport understands there was an angry reaction inside the club’s training HQ when the players were first informed of the June 1 start date which would have seen them go back to work a full four weeks ahead of their opening Europa League qualifier.

 

It’s understood Wallace, who could be part of the Scotland squad for the World Cup qualifier with England on June 10, was granted one day of special leave to celebrate his upcoming wedding.

 

Even if Caixinha caves in, Garner and his fiancee are still likely to face a dilemma after splashing out thousands on a lavish reception and honeymoon.

 

A number of team-mates have also been considering pulling the plug on their own family plans or catching early flights home.

 

And at least one of the staff members inside Murray Park, who work with or around the first-team squad, is believed to have lodged an internal complaint.

 

The furore has erupted in the wake of a woeful Scottish Cup capitulation against Celtic and with days to go before the pair meet again at Ibrox in the league.

 

Record Sport also understands Caixinha has ripped into his players and accused some of deliberately failing to follow his tactical orders during the first half of Sunday’s defeat. But he is now expected to offer an olive branch by giving players and staff an extra four days off.

 

A source said: “It’s been a stormy few days that’s for sure. Most of the guys had already got their holidays booked up for after the Scottish Cup Final on May 27.

 

“After being told by the previous manager they would not be expected back until June 12 they thought they’d get a couple of weeks off to rest and relax in the sun with their families after a long season.

 

“Let’s just say there have been a great deal of unhappy faces around the place and that includes the manager after Sunday’s performance.”

[der Berliner 3,240]

Nothing better to throw in some conjectured negative stuff into the fray just ahead of an OF game. When was the last time Jackson had to report something positive about the club? (Of course, some might say there isn't much positive to report ...)

 

I long for the day when the Supreme Court tells the world that OldCo/BDO has "won" TBC and Whyte is found guilty. For as I said earlier, this season might be more successfull for us away from the field of play than on it.

[stewarty 1,876]

I'd be happy enough with that team, Frankie.

 

And it is very strange that all is quiet regarding the DoF. Are we to move from McPartland's version of scouting and favourite agents, to Caixinha's via Pedro Mendes? I'm not sure that this will be sustainable either.

[Frankie 8,148]

Daily Record suggesting Lee Hodson will miss the game because of injury...

 

I guess that means moving Tav back and choosing one from Dodoo, Windass and Waghorn.

[lenny3k 500]

I'd be happy enough with that team, Frankie.

 

And it is very strange that all is quiet regarding the DoF. Are we to move from McPartland's version of scouting and favourite agents, to Caixinha's via Pedro Mendes? I'm not sure that this will be sustainable either.

 

This is one of the things that has annoyed me, we should have been looking for the DoF with the same urgency as we were before the manager was appointed.. Its not in PC's remit to set up a scouting system and had this DoF been in place swiftly, this scouting system could have been at least partially set up in advance of the end of the season/opening of the transfer window... If the delay is because they can't find the right person then I can more than understand that as I would prefer the right DoF, however, it seems its just been thrown onto the 'Will deal with it later when there is time' pile.